By popular demand, I had to update this article to reflect changes in 2007. I
certainly wish we were talking about Rex Grossman having success as a 16-game
starter in 2007, leading the Bears to another Super Bowl, but as we all know
the situation has been far from that. The Chicago Bears have now
changed their starting quarterback 49 times since 1992.
We've had a lot of questions here on the number of starting
quarterbacks the Bears have had, mainly since Brett Favre's reign of terror
began. We'll do that one better and go back to 1979 in chronological
order. Why 1979? Surely the story goes back much farther than that,
but that's when I started watching Bears football as an eight-year-old.
Please note: this article does not reflect the three
1987 replacement games during the player's strike. Why not? Well,
this article reflects the rediculous number of changes the Bears have made to
their starting quarterback when they should have been able to control
it. Many teams probably tried a few different replacement quarterbacks
during those three games, so I'm not including that.
Mike Phipps, Purdue: The Bears traded
their 1978 first and fourth-round draft choices to the Cleveland Browns for the
eight-year veteran. Phipps started the 1979 season, yielded to Vince
Evans and Bob Avellini, then started the team's final eight games to guide
Chicago to a wild-card playoff berth. He started the first six games of
the 1980 season before again giving up the job to Evans. His last season
was in 1981. Traded for: 1977 Started in: 1978-1980 Released:
1981
Vince Evans, USC: Evans relieved
Phipps in game two of the 1979 season, started the next three, then was lost
for the year with a staph infection. The strong-armed, athletic
signalcaller from USC was drafted by the Bears in 1977 in the sixth
round. He would become just one of three Chicago quarterbacks in the 27
years between 1979 and 2005 to start all 16 games in a season
(1981). After his Bears career ended, Evans played in the USFL then
had a miraculous run in Los Angeles/Oakland for the Raiders, lasting until
1995. Drafted: 1977 (6) Started in 1978-1981, 1983 Released:
1983
Bob Avellini, Maryland: Avellini was
part of the miracle draft class of 1975, picked in the sixth round. He
became the starter that year, not yielding until the end of the 1978
season. Avellini sat on the bench from 1980-1981, but was given a shot as
Mike Ditka's first starting quarterback in 1982. Perhaps he shouldn't
have, as his nose was broken by the Detroit Lions in that season's opening
game. He backed up Jim McMahon and Evans throughout 1983, but in 1984 he
made his final start as a Bear against Seattle. Following the 38-9 loss,
Mike Ditka said "good riddance" to Avellini. Drafted: 1975
(6) Started in: 1975-1979, 1984 Released: 1984
Jim McMahon, BYU: McMahon is heralded
as one of the best two Chicago Bears quarterbacks in their 87-year history
(along with Sid Luckman (1939-1950). Indeed, McMahon is the only Bear
quarterback to be selected to a Pro Bowl in the modern era. McMahon was
known for brilliant football smarts when he stepped to the line to look over
the defense. His problem was not being able to stay healthy. From
1984-1987 McMahon won 21 straight regular season games as a starter. But
he also missed 29 possible starts during that timeframe. Following
a disappointing NFC Championship Game loss to San Francisco in 1988,
McMahon was traded to San Diego. Drafted: 1982 (1) Started in:
1982-1988 Traded: 1989
Steve Fuller, Clemson: Fuller was
acquired from the LA Rams via trade prior to the 1984 season to serve as
insurance for the oft-injured Jim McMahon. Fuller promptly separated
his shoulder in the preseason. He then played adequately in relief of
McMahon from 1984-1986. He was on the roster but injured in 1987.
Traded for: 1984 Started in: 1984-1986 Released: 1987
Rusty Lisch, Notre Dame: Not much to
say here. Pressed into service in 1984, Lisch started against the
Packers and lost. His performance was so dismal that day, Ditka had
to sign an aged Greg Landry to play the final game against Detroit, which
Landry won. Signed: 1984 Started in: 1984 Released: 1985
Greg Landry, Massachusetts: Landry
completed 11 of 20 passes for 199 yards, 3 interceptions and a touchdown
in his lone start (and appearance) as a Bears quarterback in the 1984
finale. He joined Mike Ditka's staff the following season, serving as
quarterbacks coach and later offensive coordinator. Signed:
1984 Started in: 1984 Retired: 1984
Mike Tomczak, Ohio State: Tomczak was
signed as an undrafted free agent in 1985. The Bears cut Rusty Lisch very
shortly after acquiring Tomczak. He would get in for mopup duty in 1985,
then actually started seven games in 1986 and six in 1987. In 1988, the
good friend of McMahon's shared time with the veteran, starting Chicago's
playoff victory in the Fog Bowl over Philadelphia. He entered 1989 as the
starter, yielded to Jim Harbaugh briefly, then lost the starting quarterback
battle to Harbaugh in 1990. Following that season, he was designated for
Plan B Free Agency and picked up by Green Bay. Signed: 1985 Started
in: 1986-1990 Designated for Plan B: 1991
Doug Flutie, Boston College: Flutie
was deemed too small and short to play quarterback in the NFL. Ditka
created an uproar when he started Flutie in the 1986 season finale and the
playoff loss to the Washington Redskins. Flutie was traded to the New
England Patriots during the 1987 player's strike, spent many years in the
Canadian Football League (CFL), then found late success with the Buffalo Bills
and San Diego Chargers. He retired following the 2005 season, when in his
last play as an NFL player, he drop-kicked an extra point. Traded
for: 1986 Started in: 1986 Traded: 1987
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan: Legend has it
that Ditka threatened to quit when he was overruled in the draft room about
taking Harbaugh with the 26th pick of the 1987 draft. Harbaugh was
vilified at times by Bear fans, but is still the team's all-time leader in
attempts, completions and ranks second to Luckman in passing
yards. After Harbaugh's seven seasons in Chicago, he signed
with Indianapolis where he was voted to the Pro Bowl following the 1995
season. Drafted: 1987 (1) Started in: 1988-1993 Released: 1994
Peter Tom Willis, Florida State: Like
all other backup quarterbacks, Willis was a very popular backup to fans: until
he played. He got his chance to start in 1992 when a frustrated Ditka
benched Harbaugh. Willis played pedestrian at best, throwing eight
interceptions and four touchdowns in two starts. Drafted: 1990 (3)
Started in: 1992-1993 Released: 1994
Will Furrer, Virginia Tech: Furrer
was a strong-armed left-handed quarterback with promise. The promise
faded in his only start, Ditka's last game at Dallas. He completed 9 of
25 passes for 89 yards and three interceptions against the Super Bowl-bound
Cowboys. Drafted: 1992 (4) Started in: 1992 Released: 1993
Erik Kramer, North Carolina State: Kramer
would be known as one of the top three quarterbacks in Bears history, with
McMahon and Luckman, if he could have done it for more than one year.
Kramer piloted Ron Turner's first brilliantly successful offense in 1995,
setting Bears season records for attempts, completions, yards and touchdown
passes. But he was hurt in 1994, 96, and 98. His original
three-year deal, inked in 1994, was extended for two more in '98, but he was
cut after the first year. Signed: 1994 Started in: 1994-1998
Released: 1999
Steve Walsh, Miami: Signed as a
backup to Kramer in 1994, Walsh took over after a Kramer injury and guided the
team to its first playoff appearance since 1991. And its last playoff win
since then. He lost the battle for the starting job in 1995 to Kramer and
warmed the bench that season. Signed: 1994 Started in: 1994 Lost
to free agency: 1996
Dave Krieg, Milton College: Kreig was
so old when the Bears signed him in 1996 that the college he played
for no longer had a football team as of that point. 1996 was his 17th
season in the NFL, and he was signed strictly as a backup. With the
Chicago Bears, however, that is an expectation to be playing by game
five. That's exactly what happened when a struggling Kramer was lost for
the season with a neck disc injury. Signed: 1996 Started in: 1996 Not
re-signed: 1997
Rick Mirer, Notre Dame: Dave
Wannstedt's Chicago epitaph says something about trading for Rick Mirer.
Mirer's cost was a first-round pick, the 11th in the draft. He lasted one
hideous, awful season in Chicago. He didn't even start the season, as
Kramer was healed and Mirer looked terrible. Traded for: 1997 Started
in: 1997 Released: 1998
Steve Stenstrom, Stanford: Stenstrom
was one of several intriguing quarterbacks selected in the fourth round of the
1995 draft. Kansas City drafted him, then tried to quickly release him to
re-sign him to a lower salary that year. The Bears jumped at the chance
to steal the guy praised by Bill Walsh as a budget Joe Montana. Stenstrom
was putrid in his 1998 starts, relieving an again-injured Kramer. Walsh
then signed him in San Francisco and got to see how bad he was closeup.
Signed: 1995 Started In: 1998 Released: 1999
Moses Moreno, Colorado State: Stenstrom
was so bad that rookie seventh-round pick Moses Moreno started a game in
1998. He injured his knee, ending his career for the Bears. Drafted:
1998 (7) Started in: 1998 Released: 1999
Shane Matthews, Florida: Matthews was
a third-stringer for the Bears from 1993-1995, then again in 1996, and was
brought back for a third time in 1999. Following the release of Kramer,
Matthews became the first starter for Gary Crowton's "razzle dazzle
offense". Matthews played admirably from 1999-2001, but lacked a big-time
arm. He struggled when he replaced Jim Miller following Miller's injury
in the 2001 playoff game, and was not resigned. Signed: 1993, 1996,
1999 Started in: 1999-2001 Not resigned: 2002
Cade McNown, UCLA: Petulant,
arrogant, smarmy, you name a few adjectives to describe the quarterback
predicted to be the next Jim McMahon. Declared that he didn't drink,
smoke or have premarital sex, but he was indicted for misusing handicapped
parking placards. Angered his teammates so much that they reportedly
threatened mutiny if he were started over Matthews in the final game of
2000. Had brief stops in Miami and San Francisco but never threw another
pass in the NFL following a final completion against Detroit in the 2000
finale. Did pocket close to $20 million on his rookie deal. Drafted:
1999 (1) Started in: 1999-2000 Traded: 2001
Jim Miller, Michigan State: Miller
was signed off the scrapheap in 1998 following Moreno's knee injury. He
was a longshot to make the roster in 1999. He responded by throwing for
huge numbers in Crowton's offense, then led the Bears to the playoffs in
2001. Almost as oft-injured as McMahon. Signed a five-year
extension prior to the 2002 season, only completed one year on the deal.
Signed: 1998 Started in: 1999-2002 Released: 2003
Chris Chandler, Washington: See Dave
Krieg. Again, wasn't supposed to have to play for Miller. Again,
had to replace Miller in week seven. Chandler was as injury-prone as
McMahon and Miller, and was knocked woozy in Champaign against
Philadelphia. Had to be dragged like an invalid to the medical trailer
behind the Memorial Stadium scoreboard. Turned in gritty performances in
2003 in relief of Kordell Stewart, but it was for naught. Signed:
2002 Started in: 2002-2003 Not resigned: 2004
Henry Burris, Temple: Touted as the
biggest surprise from the CFL since, and better than, Jeff Garcia. "Happy
Hank" was his nickname. One pathetic start in Chicago is his
legacy. Signed: 2002 Started in: 2002 Released: 2003
Kordell Stewart, Colorado: See Henry
Burris, but with a better NFL resume. The Bears signed Stewart to a
two-year deal over an available Jake Delhomme due to his experience, albeit bad
experience. Finally benched for good after throwing game-changing
interceptions at Green Bay, ending Chicago's dim playoff hopes. Signed:
2003 Started in: 2003 Released: 2004
Jonathan Quinn, Middle Tennessee State:
Recommended by new Offensive Coordinator Terry Shea to help install his
offense. Hoped to only fill mentor role. Was thrust into
action when Rex Grossman blew up his knee in the season's third
week. Absolutely abysmal: threw three picks and one touchdown with a 53.7
rating in 2004. Signed: 2004 Started in: 2004 Released: 2005
Craig Krenzel, Ohio State: Picked
in the fifth round in 2004, ended up starting due to the utter misery that
was Quinn's play. Became the starter on October 31st and won three games
in a row--not bad for a rookie--but was helped immensely by his defense
and poor competition. Injured on Thanksgiving at Dallas and was
supplanted by Chad Hutichinson. Drafted: 2004 (5) Started in:
2004 Released: 2005
Chad Hutchinson, Stanford: Claimed
off a surfboard following Rex Grossman's knee injury that ended his 2004
season. Defeated the Minnesota Vikings in his first start,
looking like the answer to the Bears' quarterback problems of the
past. Played very average in four straight losses to end the 2004
season. Looked to start in 2005 after Grossman's last injury, but was
atrocious in the preseason. Cut. Signed: 2004 Started in: 2004
Released: 2005
Kyle Orton, Purdue: Pressed into duty
when Grossman injured his ankle, and Hutchinson stunk, in the 2005
preseason. Became only the second rookie quarterback since 1970 to win 10
starts, but like Krenzel he was helped greatly by a great defense.
Deserves a lot of credit for steadying the ship in 2005 prior to
Grossman's return. Orton has also been installed as the third starter of
the 2007 season. Drafted: 2005 (4) Started in: 2005, 2007
Rex Grossman, Florida: In
2006, Grossman became the first Chicago Bears quarterback since 1995, and
only the third since 1981, to start all 16 games in a season. Alternately
celebrated as a potential MVP and vilified as the team's worst problem, he
led the 2006 Bears to the Super Bowl. Then generally stunk in that
game. Entered the 2007 season with a goal of throwing 30 touchdowns
and less than 10 interceptions, Grossman was benched after three
games, then returned to start four more before suffering a season-ending knee
injury. Final 2007 statistics: 4 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and a 67.1
QB rating. Drafted: 2003 (1) Started in: 2003-2007
Brian Griese, Michigan: Signed: 2006
Started in: 2007 Griese relieved Grossman as the Bears' starting
quarterback in week four at Detroit. Griese put up fairly stunning numbers for
a Bears quarterback, even winning two close comeback games at Green Bay and
Philadelphia. But generally he played hot and cold, finishing with a 3-3 record
in games he started, 3-4 in games in which he played a bulk of the snaps. Signed:
2006 Started in: 2007
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